Torsion spring mounting



March 23, 1948. s. H. EDWARDS 2,438,432

TORSION SPRING MOUNTING Filed` Oct. 5,V 1945 e Flln INVENToR. S [ow/enf Patented Mar. 23 1948 n UNITED STATES PATENToFFlcr-z TORSION SPRING MOUNTING Samuel H. Edwards, Richmond, Calif.

Application October 5, 1945, Serial No. 620,437

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to a spring construction useful in the mounting of wheels upon a vehicle.

Torsion spring mountings have been heretofore employed upon vehicles. Generally, these have been complex, involved structures.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide an improved torsion spring mounting for vehicle wheels in which a rod provides a spring mount for both wheels, the rod being secured at both ends whereby, when it acts as a spring, it is uniformly stressed throughout its length thereby ensuring that the life and action of the rod are y respectively prolongedand uniform.

It is the generally broad object of the present invention to provide an improved swinging'arrangement in whichl a torsion spring bar is utilized and is uniformly stressed throughout its length.

Another object df the present invention is to provide a novel wheel mounting of a simple character which can be readily manufactured at relatively low cost.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoingwill appear hereinafter wherein the present preferred form of spring mounting of this invention is disclosed.

Referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan view, partially in section through a wheel mount including the torsion spring of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the installa.- tion of the spring mount of Figure 1 in place upon a vehicle frame.

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively sections taken along the line 3-3 and 4-4 in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the improved wheel mount of this invention includes a tubular axle 6. Arms 1 are mounted upon each` end of the tubular axle and upon the ends of these arms are placed suitable spindles 8 for mounting of wheels or other road engaging means 9. The tubular axle is mounted in suitable bearings II and I2 upon some portion of the frame of the vehicle. In the present structure, I have shown bearings II and I2 as mounted upon frame members I l and I6.

To provide the torsion spring mounting, a torsion bar of a suitable resilient, tough metal is mounted in the hollow axle 8, numeral I1 being applied to this. NAt one end the bar I1 is joined to an end of the hollow axle 8 as by welding I8. At the other end of the tubular axle, the bar I1 is joined as by welding I9 to an extension 2| on bearing II. Thus, rod I1 is fixed at one end to the tubular axle and, in effect, at its other end t0 twist rod I1. Since the rod is engaged at each end, it is uniformly stressed throughout its length and thus is ensured of long life and uniform resilience.

Extension 2I on bearing II is preferably fashioned so that it provides a limit for extreme movement of the cooperatively positioned arm 1, the extension being provided with portions 22 and 23 thereon extending in the direction but spaced from the cooperating arm 1. If arm 1 lmoves upwardly, it will strike the upper extension 22, while if it moves downwardly too far, it will strike the lower extension 23.

From the foregoing, I believe it will be apparent that I have provided a novel and an improved vehicle wheel spring mounting.

I claim: i

1. A spring mounting for a wheel supported axle consisting of a frame, a tubular axle having an offset wheel mount on each end thereof for mounting a wheel, bearings fixed on said frame for mountingsaid axle for rotation on said frame. and a rod extending through said tubular axle and secured at one end to an end of said axle and hicle frame having opposite spaced substantially' parallel frame members; an axle bearing on each frame member; that portion of the U-shaped axle member between said legs being mounted for rotation in said axle bearings; and a solid rod ex' tending through said tubular intermediate axle portion of said axle member and having pne end thereof directly secured to the tubular intermediate axle portion at one end thereof and having its other end fixed with respect to said frame.

SAMUEL H. EDWARDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the -flle of this patent: f

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Name s Date 2,016,753 Petzig Oct.` 5',v 1935 2,227,762 Benning 'Jan. '1, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS A Number Country I Date 149,7,18 Great Britain Aug. 26, 1920 620,805 Germany ...,-s Oct. 28, 1935 

